Sought-after Isco agrees new Malaga deal

Malaga’s coveted attacker Isco has agreed a new contract, including a release clause of around €40 million, with the La Liga club.

Isco has attracted interest from Chelsea and Manchester City

The news does not mean the 20-year-old is likely to stay at Malaga for the long term, but should ensure that the cash-strapped Qatari owned club receive a fee higher than his previous €21 million release clause when he does leave.

Isco’s sparkling displays in his first Champions League campaign have brought interest from Chelsea and Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola's future club, Bayern Munich, have also been mentioned, while Tottenham were reportedly close to meeting his current release clause last summer.

Last week, Malaga sporting director Mario Husillos said a new deal was in the pipeline but would not necessarily mean the player stayed at the club for the contract’s full duration.

"In football, it is misleading to speak about anything as definitive," Husillos said on Wednesday.

"The idea of the club, and what Isco himself has said, is that he will renew his contract. Then life can take many paths. That is the best message the club can give about the subject."

Husillos accepted that a player such as Isco was unlikely to spend his whole career at Malaga, adding: "Isco has made an important step forward - he is a great player who is wanted everywhere.

"He plays for the Spanish national team. The idea is to enjoy him for as long as we can at Malaga. Everyone wants to improve and, if he keeps growing like this, it is understandable for him to go to a huge European club.”

Isco scored his seventh goal of the season on Sunday as Malaga, who say they will appeal against a one-year European competition ban imposed by UEFA in December for financial irregularities, won 3-2 at Real Mallorca to climb back into fourth place in the Primera Division table.